Sunday, October 21, 2018

Remember...

Does it seem to you that the human mind is like a sieve when it comes to remembering our blessings, but like a steel trap when it comes to remembering our hurts, offenses against us, or our problems and cares? Likewise, why are we so quick to forget God's faithful care for us when we face a time of need, test or trial? I don't know why that is, but it seems to be a common human condition.

To me, Psalm chapter 78, is the quintessential chapter that addresses this issue. God, through the psalmist Asaph begins the chapter by reminding the children of Israel that they are to remember God's deeds and wonderful works and to be sure to pass them on to the succeeding generations so "that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but might keep His commandments". God did not want them to be, "as their fathers-a stubborn and rebellious generation", who forgot God's works and the wonders He had show them - their deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the pillar of cloud by day and the fire by night to guide them, the water from the rock in the wilderness. Yet, whenever a test or trial came their way, they would forget all that God had done and begin to grumble and complain, question God's faithfulness, and demand their own way. But, God, He would remember. In His grace, He "remembered that they were but flesh" and would show them merciful compassion and forgive them rather than give them the punishment they deserved. Yet the children of Israel still "remembered not [seriously the miracles of the working of] His hand, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy" Ps. 78:42. God is asking Asaph's generation, and us as we read His Word today, to not be like them but to make sure we are people who remember His goodness, His faithfulness, His care, His covenant, and His commandments and to train the generations to come to be people who remember.

Two practical ways to do this are to WRITE and to RECITE.

WRITE -
Keep a gratitude journal, a journal of answers to prayer, or some sort of diary of God's faithfulness in your life.
Write down things like -

your salvation story

stories of God's provision in your life

answers to prayer

God's healing in your life

ways God delivered you from sin and bondage

times God clearly guided you

times God protected you

RECITE -

Tell your stories of God's goodness and faithfulness in your life to your children and your grandchildren. Tell them to those you disciple and mentor. Tell them to your small group. Spread the Word of God's goodness everywhere and to everyone you can.

The more you write and recite God's goodness, the more it will help you remember God's goodness and faithfulness the next time you face a test or trial.

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